Knitted wear



Search Room KNITTED WEAR Filed June 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q l KINVENTOR. F l M 1 ROBERT E. DAVIS.

3 BY M y 9 ATTORNEYS Search Room Dec. 22, 1942. R. E. DAVIS 2,306,246

KNITTED WEAR Filed June 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ROBERT E. DAVIS.

MYIQL ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 22, 1942 Search Roz KNITTED WEAR RobertEvan Davis, Fort Payne, Ala., assignor to W. B. Davis & Son, Inc., FortPayne, Ala., a corporation of Alabama Application June 26, 1935, SerialNo. 28,463

23 Claims.

This invention relates to knitted wear, and particularly to knittedarticles having self-adjusting means incorporated therein.

In the manufacture of hosiery it has been found that, inasmuch as thecalf portions of the legs of different persons vary in diameter to amuch greater extent than the portions adjacent to and immediately abovethe ankle, it is necessary to form the upper portion of the leg of astocking, for example, a man's sock or half hose, of a much more elasticfabric than is usually desirable for the lower portion of the leg andthe foot, in order to secure a snug fit. It has been customary for manyyears, in knitting half hose, to provide the top or calf portion of ribknitting in order to secure the desired elasticity, and to knit the legand foot of plain-knit fabric to secure the desirable fineness oftexture. This requires the use of two different machines, one a ribknitter provided with a series of vertically reciprocating needles, andalso a separate series of horizontally reciprocating needles, and theother a plain knitter, provided only with a single series of verticallyreciprocating needles.

In knitting seamless hosiery the needles of both machines are arrangedin circular series. The top portion of the stocking is knit on the ribmachine and removed therefrom. It is then transferred by placing acourse of stitches of the rib top upon the needles of the plain knitter,each stitch in the course being placed over a single needle of thelatter. This transferrlng" operation is performed by hand and requiresskilled operators, which adds to the cost of manufacture. the lowerportion of the leg of the stocking is knit onto the rib top, and theknitting is continued until the foot is completed, in the usual manner.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a stocking, suchas a man's half hose for example, is formed with an elastic topconstituted by plain-knit fabric, preferably uniform with the otherportions of the leg, and provided with vertically disposed parallel ribshaving the appearance of and simulating the customary rib top. This maybe accomplished by knitting into a plurality of selected, and preferablyseparated, circular courses throughout at least the upper section of theleg portion, having a length corresponding at least to that of the usualrib top, an elastic thread which preferably is knit into correspondingspaced stitches in each course, and floated between said stitches, sothat the corresponding stitches and corresponding floats in the Theplain-knitter is then started and said several spaced or selectedcourses shall be arranged in vertical lines. The elastic threadpreferably is continuous through the said selected spaced courses, andis fed under a predetermined tension, so that when the said uppersection of the stocking is completed the separated stitches into whichthe elastic thread has been knit will be drawn toward each other,producing throughout the section a series of parallel vertical ridges ofthe plain-knit fabric between the said separated stitches and providingboth the function and appearance of the usual rib top.

The present invention permits the production of a stocking, sock orother garment knit entirely of plain-knit fabric, on a single machine,thus dispensing with the original cost and maintenance of therib-knitting machines, and doing away entirely with the cost oftransferring. Moreover, the plain knitting machines can be operated morenearly continuously and more efficiently, and with less personalattention than where a rib top must be transferred before eachplain-knitter can be operated.

It will be seen that by this invention any desired degree of elasticitycan be imparted to the top by regulating the tension of the elasticthread and the size of the plain-knit stitches, permitting the stockingor sock to be drawn over the foot, and insuring a neat and satisfactoryform-fit of the top," regardless of variations in the size of the leg.

It will also be understood that the tension of the elastic thread may besuch that, in addition to providing a snug form-fit, the "top formed asdescribed will embrace the leg with sumcient pressure to retain itselfin position thereon and prevent the leg of the stocking from slipping orworking downward when the sock or stocking is worn.

In carrying out the invention, any preferred form of elastic thread maybe employed. For example, a thread of rubber, or a thread composed ofrubber and fibrous material such as the wellknown Lastex," or any otherkind of elastic thread which will accomplish the result desired, may beused. The float portions of the elastic thread are preferably carriedalong the inner face of the fabric comprising the elastic "topdescribed, end the frictional contact of the floats with the skin of thewearer assist in holding the elastic top in place, and enables thisdesirable result to be accomplished with a comparatively slight amountof tension, sufficiently slight under any circumstances to avoid anysense of irritation or compression.

If it is desired to form a mock seam in the hose, the mock seam may beformed in the portion of the fabric adjacent the portions of elasticthread which are carried between the spaced courses of fabric, and theseam may be employed to anchor the adjacent carried portions of elasticthread to prevent displacement of the latter relative to the fabric.

The invention also consists in forming a product having the generalcharacteristics, the new and useful applications, and the severaloriginal features of utility hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhere to, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and themanner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood byreferring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a sideelevational view of a half hose fabricated according to the teachings ofthe invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the hose shown inFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the fabricillustrating the manner in which the elastic thread is incorporated inthe fabric, the fabric and elastic threads being shown in abnormalpositions for the purposes of illustration;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the fabricshowing the threads in their normal positions;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a cross-section taken alongthe line 44 of Fig. 2:

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the same portion of the hose showing a mockseam stitched into the hose; and

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the portion of the hose shown inFig. 6.

For the purposes of illustration, the invention is disclosed inconnection with its application to a half hose, but it is to beunderstood that the invention may be applied to other articles ofapparel having a tubular portion adapted to surround or engage a portionof the body of the wearer, and to other types of fabrics than thespecific type disclosed.

The half hose is formed with the usual foot portion l, leg portion 2 andtop portion 3, the latter being fabricated with longitudinally extendingrib-like ridges 4 (as will hereinafter be described) in simulation ofthe usual rib-knitted fabric constituting the tops of the conventionaltype of hosiery.

The top portion 3 is constituted by a plainknit, inelastic thread, andis knit integral with the leg portion 2 during a single knittingoperation.

Secured to the top portion, on the inner surface thereof, is an elasticthread 5 which extends around the top portion 3 in a series of spacedparallel turns or courses. The elastic thread 5 is knitted into thefabric at a plurality of equally spaced wales, for example ID, at eachof a plurality of equally spaced courses, for example B, F, J, etc., ofthe fabric (hereinafter designated as the spaced or elastic-carryingcourses).

The portion or segment 6 of the elastic thread 5 is floated on theinside of the fabric between successive of the spaced wales l0, and hasa normal length less than that of the adjacent fabric lying betweenspaced wales l0, and hence the adjacent portion of the fabric is causedto bulge outwardly. If the elastic thread 5 is knitted into the samewales in each of the spaced courses, and if the diameter of the threads,the spacing between wales and the spacing between courses are suitablychosen, the bulges adjacent each floated portion 6 unite to constitute aseries of continuous parallel rib-like ridges, as indicated by thereference character 4 in Figs. 1 and 2.

The elastic thread 5 is carried from the wale Illa in each of the spacedcourses to the wale Hlb in the succeeding spaced course, whereby theportions 8 of the elastic thread 5 which are carried between courses aredisposed in alignment lengthwise of the hose. The normal length of theportions 8, which are carried between successive of said spaced courses,is less than the normal length of the adjacent fabric, whereby theadjacent fabric is bulged out to form a ridge 1.

The hose shown in Fig. 1 may be formed in several different manners, butpreferably is formed on a circular knitting machine having a floatstitch attachment; for example, a machine of the Banner, Scott 8:Williams, or Standard type may be employed.

The hose is started in the usual manner, several plain-knit courses ofinelastic fabric thread being knit. When the first of the spaced orelactic-carrying courses B is reached, the plain knitting of the fabricthread is continued. However, prior to the time the needles reach theknitting point, a suitable cam arrangement is actuated, which throwsdown all of the needles, except selected needles (for example, everyfourth needle), prior to reaching the knitting point.

The selected needles remain in raised position, and the elastic threadis fed thereto without being fed to the lowered needles. When theneedles reach the knitting point, the fabric thread is fed to all ofthem, and all of the needles are carried through the knitting movement,and thus the elastic thread is knitted into spaced wales of the fabricin plating relation with the fabric thread. Since the elastic thread isfed only to the selected needles, and passes back of the needles whichhave been thrown down, it is not knitted by the latter but floats on theback of the fabric between the wales knitted by the selected needles.

The elastic thread is fed to the selected needles under a predeterminedtension, whereby, when the hose is finished, the length of each floatedportion is less than the corresponding portion of the fabric, and thelatter is bulged out into a ridge adjacent each floated portion.

After the first elastic-carrying course B has been completed, aplurality of plain courses of fabric thread are knit, without includingthe elastic thread, and then the next elastic-carrying course F isknitted in a manner similar to that above-described. The succeedingseries of plain and elastic-carrying courses are knitted, as will beseen, until the entire self-adjusting portion is completed, whereuponthe elastic thread is moved out of feeding position, bound and severed,and the remainder of the hose knit in the usual manner and withoutremoving the hose from the machine.

As will be understood, when a plain course preceding an elastic-carryingcourse has been completed, a number of plain stitches must be takenwithout including the elastic in order to allow the cam arrangement tomove into the position for actuating the needles, to effect the floatstitch operation. Thus, the number of stitches, across which the floatedportion 8 extend, will depend generally upon the number of needlesallowed for the movement of the cam arrangement.

When the hose has been knitted, the top end is provided with a stitchedhem 4|, as shown; or, if preferred, the top may be finished on an edger,in a manner which is known to those skilled in the art.

The fabric formed by the float stitch operation is shown in Figs. 3 and4. In Fig. 3 the threads are shown in the positions which they wouldassume if the elastic thread were knitted into the fabric, under notension. It will be seen that the inelastic thread is plain-knit to formthe usual wales 9, l and H, and the usual courses A to G. The elasticthread is knitted into the wale ID of the course B, along with theinelastic thread, having been drawn through the loop l3 of the course A,simultaneously with the loop l6 of the course B, in the form of anelastic loop 26; also the inelastic loop IQ of the next course C isdrawn simultaneously through both loops l6 and 26 in the form of a loopl9. Thus it will be seen that the elastic thread 5 is knitted into thefabric in plating relation with the inelastic thread at the wales l0,and floats between the spaced wales H] on the back of the fabric.

The elastic thread 5 is knitted into the fabric under sufficient tensionso that when the fabric is formed the elastic thread 5 straightens out(see Fig. 4) and draws the loop l6 of the inelastic thread back throughthe loop l3, to partially unloop the fabric at the wale l8. However,since the elastic thread has been knitted into the fabric, and passesthrough the adjacent loops l8 and 20, the fabric does not unknit butportions of the adjacent loops I8 and 28 pass around the portion of theinelastic thread. constituting the loop l8, and likewise around theportion of the elastic thread, constituting the loop 26, and also passthrough the loop iii of inelastic thread, to lock the elastic threadinto the fabric. The straightening of the elastic thread spreads theloops of the inelastic thread adjacent the wale H], as indicated in Fig.4.

It will be seen that, in the finished fabric, the elastic thread 5passes around the adjacent fabric substantially without loops, and isexposed throughout its length to contact with the body of the wearerexcept at the points where the portions of loops l8 and 28 of theinelastic thread pass over the elastic thread.

The elastic thread 5 is knitted into the fabric under controlled tensionso that when the fabric is completed and permitted to assume its naturalposition, the portion 6 of elastic thread 5, which is floated betweenspaced wales I8, is substantially less than that of the adjacent portionof the fabric which extends between the spaced wales l8. Since theelastic thread 5 is firmly gripped at the spaced wales ID by theadjacent loops i8 and 20, the spaced wales 10 are drawn toward oneanother and the fabric is caused to bulge outwardly adjacent eachfloated portion 6, when the elastic thread assumes its normal position.The spacing between the wales l0 and between successive of the spacedcourses is such that the bulges in the fabric adjacent each floatedportion 6 are in longitudinal alignment, and constitute continuousrib-like ridges l.

The wide ridges 1 constituted by the long portions 8 of the elasticthread 5 are preferably located at the center of the back of thestocking,

Search R001 where they are inconspicuous, as shown in Fig. 2, and mayprovide means for readily creasing the hose when the same is pressed.Inasmuch as the long portion 8 provides less resilience of the hose atthis portion, it provides a natural fold point in the fabric, andpermits the same to be folded and pressed in the usual manner withoutundue tendency to resist folding, and also facilitates the formation ofa mock seam.

If desired, the hose may be provided with a mock seam formed bygathering a portion of the hose extending in a longitudinal direction,and stitching the same with a known type of edging stitch such as formedon a Merrow or Wilcox 8: Gibbs machine. to simulate a full-fashionedhose.

The portion I (see Figs. 5 to 7) is gathered in a double reversely-bentfold 3|, and the long carried portion 8 of the elastic thread 5 isgathered into the fold 3 I, and the threads 32 and 33 are stitched intothe fabric to secure the double reversely-bent fold 3|, and to lock thecarried portion 8 securely within the fold. The threads 32 and 33 arestitched in the form of an edging stitch, in which the loops 34 and 35of the thread 32 pass through the fabric and engage the loops 36 and 31of the thread 33 on the inner side of the fabric, thus securely lockingthe fold 3i against opening and binding in the long carried portion 8 ofthe elastic thread 5.

Preferably, the elastic thread 5 is introduced at the same time as, orjust prior to, the knitting of a stitch of the wale Illa, and iswithdrawn at the same time as, or just after, the knitting of a stitchof the wale lob, whereby the end portions of the elastic thread 5constitute the first and last of the carried portions 8. Thus, when themock seam is formed, as above-described, the end portions are securelytied into the fabric.

By way of illustration, a specific example of an article formedaccording to the invention is here described. A mans sock, size 10having a leg length of approximately 15 inches, and a diameter ofapproximately 3% inches, was made on a circular knitting machine having220 needles. The sock was formed of No. 50/2 cotton thread, and No. 52square india rubber thread was knitted into every fourth wale of everyfourth course of the fabric throughout approximately courses. Theself-supporting portion was approximately 5 inches in length.

The rubber was knitted into the fabric under such tension that when thefabric was removed from the machine the elastic thread drew the fabricup into a series of parallel spaced ridges, so that the diameter of theself-supporting section was reduced to approximately 2% to 3 inches.

Various modifications may be made in the fabrication of an article ofapparel according to the present invention.

As previously set forth, the invention is suitable for application tomany types of fabrics and articles, among which may be named, by way ofexample: hosiery. including stockings, half hose. anklets and footlesshosiery: handwear, including mittens, gloves and wristlets; bodywear,including sweaters, trousers, drawers, pajamas, swimming suits; andother articles which it is desired to retain in a predetermined positionupon the body of a wearer; or other fabrics to which it is desired toimpart the properties provided by the invention.

It is within the contemplation of the invention to employ either coveredor uncovered elastic thread, either of which provides an effectiveresistance against displacement on the body. It has been found thatdirect contact between the skin and either bare rubber or covered rubberthread provides a very surprising resistance to slipping, and an articleformed according to the present invention exerts an extremely highdegree of resistance to displacement, without the necessity of beingunder great tension. It has also been found that, where the spacingbetween courses into which the elastic thread is knitted is of asufficient extent, whereby the turns of the elastic thread exertindependent gripping actions on the leg of the wearer, a greaterresistance to displacement is exerted on the self-supporting portion ofthe article than where the elastic threads are relatively closetogether. It will be noted that, because of the manner in which theelastic thread is knitted into the fabric, a very high percentage of thearea of the elastic thread is exposed to contact with the body of thewearer, and hence maximum utilization of the frictional effect of theelastic thread is obtainable.

Instead of employing uncovered rubber thread, it is possible to employelastic threads of the type wherein a rubber core is surrounded by aspun, or otherwise applied, sheath of inelastic fibres, such as cotton,silk or the like. One example of such elastic thread is the thread knowncommercially as Lastex." Such covered thread has certain advantages inthat it is easy to operate with such thread, due to the fact that nosticking occurs between the thread and the various portions of theknitting machine. Furthermore, there is no direct contact between theskin of the wearer and the rubber, which fact may be consideredadvantageous in certain instances.

By knitting the elastic thread into spaced wales in each of a pluralityof spaced courses, and suitably selecting the relationship between thediameter of the threads, the spacing between wales, the spacing betweencourses, the tension on the threads and the length of the stitches, itis possible to form a fabric having the appearance of the usual ribbedfabric by the use-of a machine adapted to do only plain knitting. Thusit is not necessary to use a ribber and transfer arrangement. or otherspecial type of machine.

As previously explained, contraction of the elastic thread to its normallength causes the adjacent portion of the fabric to bulge out. Thiseffect may be employed in producing various relief patterns, forexample, continuous parallel ribs (as above described), staggeredridges, spaced nodules and other designs by merely varying, in asuitable manner, one or more of the above-named determining factors.

Inasmuch as the elastic thread is knitted in the fabric at spacedcourses as well as at spaced wales, it is possible to obtain an elasticfabric which is not substantially less elastic than the fabric would bewithout the elastic thread, and also which is not substantially lessporous than the plain fabric. Since the fabric is highly elastic andporous, and since a very high frictional effect may be provided by thesuitable spacing of the turns of elastic thread, of which nearly allportions are in direct engagement with the body of the wearer, it ispossible to provide an article of apparel which will firmly grip thebody and support itself without any appreciable discomfort on the partof the wearer.

It is within the scope of the present invention to incorporate theelastic in any desired portion of the article and to space theelasticcarrying courses to a greater or lesser extent. However,preferably, the elastic thread is provided in a substantial portion andat suitably spaced courses so that the self-supporting portion exerts arelatively low pressure on the body, and the porosity and extensibilityof the fabric are not greatly decreased. Thus the undesirable featuresof a garter, or garter section, may be avoided.

A further provision for comfort may be made by variably spacing theelastic-carrying courses throughout the self-supporting portion. Thespacing between the elastic-carrying courses is made greater in thoseportions of the article adapted to fit the portions of the body whichare of greater diameter, and lesser in those portions of the garmentadapted to fit the smaller portions of the body; hence, the pressuresexerted on the various portions of the body may be substantiallyequalized by suitable spacing of the elastic courses.

The provision of a mock seam in the wide ridge, constituted by thecarrying of the elastic thread between successive of the spaced courses,serves both to improve the appearance of the article and also to bind inthe elastic thread to prevent any possibility of the same beingdisplaced any substantial amount relative to the fabric, in the event,that any portion of the elastic thread is severed.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to use with anyparticular type of fabriciorming thread, but may be practiced withvarious kinds of thread, for example, cotton, silk, wool and the like,and with various sizes of threads. It is also within the invention toemploy several fabric threads of different characteristics, either insuccession or simultaneously to provide portions of varyingcharacteristics, or varying patterns and the like.

It is to be noted that where the expression inelastic thread ornomelastic thread" is employed, it is to be read as a distinguishingexpression, to distinguish the relative inelasticity of the threadscustomarily used in fabricating garments from highly elastic threads,such as india rubber threads, Lastex" and the like.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending applicationSerial No. 759,831, filed December 31, 1934.

What is claimed is:

1. A knitted article of apparel, comprising a plurality of courses ofplain fabric formed from a fabric thread of uniform diameter and anelastic thread knitted into corresponding spaced wales in each of aplurality of equally spaced courses of the fabric, the normal length ofthe elastic thread floated between each of said spaced wales being lessthan the normal length of the corresponding portion of the fabric toprovide a series of parallel longitudinal rib-like ridges in the fabric.

2. A knitted article of apparel, comprising a tubular portionconstituted by a plain-knit fabric of inelastic thread, and an elasticthread knitted, under tension, into spaced wales of each of a pluralityof spaced courses of the fabric, and

floated between said spaced wales and carried between its termination ineach of said spaced courses and its point of introduction in thesucceeding spaced course, there being at least two wales of inelasticthread intervening be-' tween said spaced wales and at least threecourses of inelastic thread intervening between said spaced courses.

3. A knitted article of bodywear, comprising a tubular fabricconstituted by an inelastic thread i a fabric constituted by anon-elastic body thread and an elastic thread plated with said bodythread at spaced wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses andunder sufiicient initial tension to partially unloop the plated loop offabric thread, whereby said elastic thread extends along the fabricwithout loops.

5. A knitted article of apparel, comprising a plain-knit fabric having atubular portion, an elastic thread knitted into said fabric at spacedwales of each of a plurality of spaced courses of the fabric, andcarried between said spaced courses, the normal length of elastic threadcarried between courses being less than the normal length of theadjacent fabric, and a mock seam in the portion of the fabric oppositesaid carried portions of elastic thread and inclosing said car-- riedportions of elastic thread.

6. A knitted article of apparel, comprising a tubular portion ofplain-knit fabric, an elastic thread knitted into spaced wales of eachof a plurality of spaced courses of the fabric, and

carried from each of said spaced courses to the next of said spacedcourses at corresponding wales, and a mock seam stitched into saidfabric adjacent said carried portions of the elastic thread, and bindingsaid elastic thread against :a

displacement in the fabric.

'7. A knitted article of hosiery, comprising a tubular portion formedwith a plurality of courses of fabric-forming thread, an elastic threadknitted into wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses of thefabric and carried from each of said spaced courses to the next of saidcourses at corresponding portions thereof to provide aligned segments ofsaid elastic thread, said segments being shorter than the adjacentfabric to form a ridge therein, and a mock seam stitched into theportion constituting the ridge.

8. A knitted article of hosiery, comprising a tubular portion formedwith a plurality of courses of fabric-forming thread and an elasticthread knitted into a plurality of equally spaced wales in each of aplurality of equally spaced courses and being carried from each of saidspaced courses to the next of said spaced courses, at correspondingwales, to provide ments of said elastic thread, said aligned segmentsbeing shorter than the adjacent fabric and providing a ridge in theadjacent fabric.

9. A knitted article of apparel comprising a tubular fabric constitutedby an inelastic thread, an elastic thread knitted into spaced wales ofeach of a plurality of spaced courses of the fabric and carried fromeach of said spaced courses at corresponding wales, said elastic threadbeginning and ending with a carried portion, and a mock seam stitchedinto said fabric adjacent said carried portions of the elastic thread,and binding all of said carried portions against displacement relativeto the fabric.

10. In an article of hosiery, a leg portion comprising a body having atop, said top being plain knit of inelastic fabric thread and having anelastic thread locked to spaced wales at corresponding points of each ofa plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spaced wales,

aligned seg- Search Room the normal length of elastic thread floatedbetween said spaced wales being less than the normal length of thecorresponding portion of the fabric to draw in the inelastic fabric bothIII at and between elastic carrying courses to provide a series ofspaced, parallel, continuous riblike ridges extending longitudinallythroughout a substantial part of said top.

11. In an article of hosiery, a leg portion comprising a body having atop, said top being plain knit of inelastic fabric thread and having anelastic thread knit into spaced wales of each of a plurality of spacedcourses and floated between said spacej wales, the normal length ofelastic thread floated between said spaced wales being less than thenormal length of the corresponding portion of the fabric to draw in theinelastic fabric both at and between elastic carrying courses to providea series of spaced local ridges in the fabric, said spaced wales in saidspaced courses lying at the same points, the diameter of the threads,the spacing between wales and the spacing between courses being suitablychosen to cause said local ridges to be aligned and thereby toconstitute a series of parallel, continuous rib-like ridges extendinglongitudinally throughout a substantial part of said top.

12. An article of hosiery having a leg portion comprising a plain knitelastic top, knit with an inelastic thread and having an elastic threadlocked in the fabric at corresponding separated points in each of aplurality of spaced courses, the length of the portions of said elasticthread between the adjacent points at which it is locked in the fabricbeing less than the length of the corresponding portion of the coursebetween said points, to draw in fabric between said points in theelastic carrying courses as well as adjacent courses, to provide the topwith a series of spaced, parallel, continuous ridges simulating ribknitting, said elastic carrying courses being of such number and spacedto such an extent as to enable the top to support the entire leg portionon the leg of the wearer with minimum tension of the elastic thread, anda main leg portion of plain knitting without said elastic thread, knitas a continuation of the lower portion of said top, and obviatingtransferring.

13. An article of hosiery having a leg portion comprising an elastic topcomposed of a plurality of courses of plain knitting with an inelasticthread, and having a continuous elastic thread knit into correspondingspaced, single wales of each of a plurality of spaced courses, andfloated for a distance of more than one wale between said wales in whichthe elastic thread is knit, the said float portions being of less lengththan the length of the corresponding portions of the fabric, to draw inthe fabric between the wales in which the elastic thread is knitted aswell as the corresponding portions of adjacent non-elastic-carryingcourses, to provide the top with a series of vertical ridgessubstantially coextensive with the length of the top, simulating ribknitting, said elastic carrying courses being of such number and spacedto such an extent as to enable the top to support the entire leg portionupon the leg of the wearer with a minimum tension of the elastic thread,and a main leg portion of plain knitting formed of inelastic threadonly, knit continuously with the said elastic top without transferring.

14. In an article of hosiery, a leg portion comprising a body having atop, said top being plain knit of inelastic fabric and having an elasticthread locked to spaced wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses,the normal length of elastic thread floated between said spaced walesbeing less than the normal length of the corresponding portion of thefabric to draw in the inelastic fabric both at and between elasticcarrying courses.

15. A knitted article of hosiery comprising a self-supporting topcomposed of fabric plain knit of inelastic thread and elastic thread,said elastic thread being knitted under tension at spaced wales in eachof a plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spaced wales,the tension on the elastic thread being such as to cause the stitchesthereof to straighten out and spread adjacent stitches of inelasticthread in such manner as to produce a porous fabric.

16. A knitted article of hosiery comprising a self-supporting topcomposed of fabric plain knitted of inelastic thread and elastic thread,said elastic thread being knitted at corresponding spaced wales in eachof a plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spaced walesto provide a plurality of spaced turns of elastic thread exposed on theinner surface of said top, the fabric intermediate said spaced walesconstituting a series of longitudinally extending riblike ridges.

17. In an article of hosiery, a leg portion comprising a body having aself-supporting top, said top being formed of plain knit fabric composedof inelastic thread and elastic thread, said elastic thread beingincorporated at spaced points in each of a plurality of spaced coursesand floated between said spaced points on the inner surface of the top,the length of elastic thread incorporated in each of said spaced coursesand the spacing of said spaced points and of said spaced courses beingsuch that spaced turns of elastic thread are individually exposed on theinner surface of the fabric and adapted to be under tension andindependently grip the leg of the wearer when said article is inposition thereon.

18. In a hosiery article, a leg portion com prising a body having aself-supporting top, said top being plain knit of inelastic thread andelastic thread, said elastic thread being knit at spaced wales in eachof a plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spaced Waleson the inner surface of the top, the spacing of said spaced wales and ofsaid spaced courses and the relative length of the elastic thread and ofthe fabric between said spaced wales being such that spaced turns ofelastic thread are individually exposed on the inner surface of thefabric and exert independent gripping actions on the leg of the wearer,said spaced courses being a sufiicient distance apart to avoid anysubstantial reduction of the normal porosity of the fabric.

19. In a hosiery article, a leg portion comprising a body and aself-supporting top, said top being formed of plain knit fabric composedof inelastic thread and elastic thread, said elastic thread being lockedat spaced wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses and floatedbetween said spaced wales to form floats on the inner surface of thetop, the spacing of said spaced wales and of said spaced courses and thelength of said elastic thread in each of said spaced courses being suchthat spaced turns of elastic thread are individually exposed on theinner surface of the fabric to permit said spaced turns of elasticthread to independently grip with slight tension the leg of the wearer,said spaced courses being a suiiicient distance apart to avoid anysubstantial reduction of the normal porosity of the article.

20. In a hosiery article, a leg portion comprising a body having asupporting portion, said supporting portion being plain knit ofinelastic thread and elastic thread, said elastic thread being knit atspaced wales in each of a plurality of spaced courses and floatedbetween said spaced wales on the inner surface of the supportingportion, the length of the elastic thread in each of said spaced coursesand the spacing of said wales and of said spaced courses being such thatelastic thread is individually exposed in spaced turns on the innersurface of the fabric to permit said turns of elastic thread toindependently grip with slight tension the leg of the wearer, saidsupporting portion being sufiiciently long to provide the necessarygripping action to support said hosiery article.

21. A self -supporting sock having on the inside surface of its topportion a self-supporting means comprising a plurality of turns ofuncovered rub ber thread attached to said surface at spaced coursesunder initial tension and divided into a series of exposed segmentsthereon by a series of spaced stitches of fabric thread carried oversaid rubber thread, said segments being of such lengths and spacing thatthey exert individual gripping action on the leg of the wearer, therebyenhancing to a high degree the resistance to slipping.

22. A self-supporting sock having a plain knit top portion and aself-supporting means comprising a plurality of exposed segments ofelastic thread incorporated upon the inside surface of said top portionof said sock, said segments falling in a continuous series of spacedturns extending over the entire length of the top portion, and a ridgein the fabric of the top resulting from a longer segment in eachconvolution of the elastic thread, said longer segments forming avertical column along the length of the top portion.

23. In a hosiery article, a leg portion comprising a body having a plainknit top portion, said top being knit of inelastic fabric thread andelastic thread, said elastic thread being incorporated at spaced pointsin each of a plurality of spaced courses and floated between said spacedpoints on the inner surface of the top, the spacing of said spacedpoints and of said spaced courses being such that spaced turns ofelastic thread are individually exposed on the inner surface of thefabric to permit said turns of elastic thread to exert independentgripping actions on the leg of the wearer.

ROBERT EVAN DAVIS.

